Aegina

Aegina (or Egina) is a relatively quiet island with a rich Greek everyday life. Many Athenians change the urban stress for a weekend on Aegina. If you go to Aegina as a tourist you can do the opposite: it only takes one hour by ferry to go to Athens. Aegina is famous for its temple of Aphaea which lies above the tourist resort of Agia Marina. Aegina is also known for its pistachio nuts, they are considered the best in all of Greece. There grows pistachios on many places around the island. From a distance they look like olive trees, but on a closer look one can see that it is pistachio nuts that grows, and nothing else. Pistachio nuts in all its forms are available, for example, in Aegina town.

GETTING HERE
Take the plane to Athens and continue by ferry. The ferries to Aegina run in shuttle service from Athens' seaport town of Piraeus.

GETTING AROUND
Busses runs almost on the whole island. You find cars and mopeds for hire in Aegina town and in Agia Marina. Prices are above average.

Aegina town.

Agia Marina.

VILLAGES
The capital of Aegina is conveniently also called Aegina. It is an attractive town that is full of life all year round. A comparison with Athens is not entirely wrong, though Aegina town (see picture on top) of course is much, much smaller. The seafront promenade is long and filled to the brim with tavernas, bars and cafes. In the evenings the seafront is teeming with activity; tavernas and cafes are filled up quickly by guests that are full of expectations. It is enjoyable to sit down for an ouzo and to have a look at the lively street life before you continue for a nice dinner on one of the tavernas. My favourite taverna is called Maridaki and is located slightly to the right by the seafront (if you have your nose towards the town). Behind the seafront there are innumerable alleys spreading out; here are small shops of all kinds, including a fish and vegetable market. If you long to go for a swim, there is a small beach to the left (still have your nose towards the town) of the port, just before the archaeological excavations in Kolona.

About 10 km south of Aegina town is Perdika which is a fishing village with many fish tavernas and cafes. From here you can go by boat to the uninhabited islet of Moni which is just outside. Another pretty fishing village is Souvala 10 km east of Aegina town. Also here there are many tavernas to choose from.

BEACHES
Aegina has decent beaches, though they are quite mediocre. The best and most popular beach lies in the tourist resort Agia Marina, on the east side of the island. The beach is extremely shallow and it's perfect for small children. Adults must go far out in the water to get the water over the knees. Above the beach and along the main street, there is an abundance of tavernas and bars. Along the main street there are also plenty of shops, mostly souvenir shops, but also clothing stores and supermarkets. In short there is everything you imagine to find in Agia Marina, it is after all the largest tourist resort on Aegina. Marathonas - halfway between Aegina town and Perdika - is another fairly good beach.

SIGHTS
You should not miss the temple of Aphaea, above the tourist resort Agia Marina, when you are on Aegina. It is one of the best preserved Doric temples in Greece, quite similar to the temple of Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, but not as big of course. It is also worth to see the church of Agios Nektarios, especially for the unusual architecture, reminiscent of Agia Sophia, the former Greek church in Istanbul. Greeks from far and near go on a pilgrimage to pay a visit at the grave of Saint Nektarios. They come to pray to him or ask for his blessing, it is said that prayers are often heard. Nektarios died in 1920 and was canonised 1961. The monastery is situated on the road to Agia Marina, about 10 minutes drive from Aegina town.

ACCOMMODATION
Most people choose to stay in Aegina town where there are a wide selection of pensions and hotels. If you go to Aegina in the weekend, it might be hard to find somewhere to stay since most rooms are booked by Athenians that go to Aegina for the weekend.

Temple of Aphaea.

MORE ABOUT AEGINA
Geographical location »
Map of Aegina »
Ferry timetable »

OTHER LINKS
Agistri - nearest island »
Weather in Greece »

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